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Hydrolysed vegetable protein

What the research shows

Concerning

in studies of people

A flavour enhancer made from broken-down plant proteins.

It gives soups, sauces and snacks a savoury, meaty, broth-like taste.12

What research says

Studies in people

  • Concern

    Headache triggers in food3

    Hydrolysed vegetable protein is used on labels for MSG, which can set off headaches in some people.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.

References

  1. 1hydrolysed vegetable protein: ingredient taxonomy entry. Open Food Facts.
  2. 2Hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
  3. 3Scopp AL. MSG and hydrolyzed vegetable protein induced headache: review and case studies. Headache. 1991;31(2):107-10. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.1991.hed3102107.x